Red Deer fire-medics were dispatched to one collision after another on Monday morning as icy roads created mayhem for drivers.
From shortly before 8 a.m. to around noon, Red Deer Emergency Services responded to seven collisions in the city and on Highway 2, said assistant deputy chief Damian LaGrange.
On Highway 2, a semi jacknifed in the morning in the southbound lanes, creating a traffic jam that stretched for kilometres.
The semi blocked both southbound lanes near the Highway 11A interchange. An SUV was also involved in the collision that happened around 9:10 a.m.
Another semi collision occurred in the southbound lanes just north of the Highway 11A interchange.
Snow continued to fall on icy roads and there was poor visibility, prompting RCMP to issue a warning that driving was not advisable because of the conditions, which had caused multiple collisions extending to the Blackfalds area.
In the city, there were fender benders all over town. Fire-medics were at the scene of a collision near Real Canadian Superstore at about noon.
Another collision occurred a little earlier on 67th Street, near St. Patrick’s Community School.
The worst collision was not related to the weather. It happened at Vibe Car Audio, where a southbound truck veered across Gaetz Avenue from the 77th Street intersection and smashed through a window, coming to rest deep inside the business.
Another collision shortly before 11 a.m. closed down Highway 11 near Range Road 6-0 near Rocky Mountain House. The highway was reopened around noon.
LaGrange said drivers need to be careful in these conditions.
“I think it’s important that drivers slow down and drive for the road conditions,” he said. “Be cautious and be a defensive driver.”
He also asked that drivers keep an eye out for emergency responders.
“Please slow down and allow emergency response crews, police fire and EMS a safe area to work in.”
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
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